Free Money Headlines Preakness Day Wagering Opportunities

Well, we didn't embarrass ourselves yesterday, as the horses we figured could win did, though with a few underlays in that bunch and neither of our longshots (Image of Anna in the Black-Eyed Susan and Valid in the Pimlico Special) doing anything (in races both won by the favorites, no less) we didn't make any money either.

That's OK, though, as there will be plenty of money up for grabs today with that $173,323 in the dime Pick 5 paying out today to any number of winners plus 10-million points exclusively for TwinSpires.com members who hit the all-stakes Pick 4 ending with the Preakness Stakes.

The Pick 5 starts in race 8 and the Pick 4 in race 9 with both sequences ending in the Preakness, and the right approach depends entirely on what you make of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, who figures to be 3-to-5 in the win pool but is more likely to offer value in the multis if the Pimlico Special-Preakness double will pays with favored Revolutionary are any indication.

I'm mostly against California Chrome from the all-powerful-gotta-have-one-because-it's-a-big-race "TOP PICK" standpoint, but obviously I'd have no problem cashing a multi-race bet the ends with Quick Wit winning the Dixie and California Chrome the Preakness.

The aforementioned TOP PICK honors go to Social Inclusion, who I see as the most likely winner after California Chrome and better value in the win pool. Depending on the numbers you look at, Social Inclusion is the fastest horse in the race or co-fastest, and a third in the TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial Stakes behind the eventual fourth- and fifth-place finishers in the Kentucky Derby is no knock considering that was his third career start, first in graded company, and coming off less than three weeks rest.

With all the added money in the Pick 5 and Pick 4 pools, I won't get too cute trying to beat Chrome in those pools and use him in equal strength with my others. An all As & Bs Pick 5 is $200 and the Pick 4 is $250. From a verticals standpoint in the Preakness, I'll definitely box my five picks outside of California Chrome ($20) and wheel Social Inclusion up and down ($18). Then depending on what the will pays are (assuming were alive) I'll look at California Chrome and Social Inclusion on top. Good luck today!